Antique DesksGavin Burrell discusses the problem of the knee-hole height on Antique Desks.
This is a question which occasionally comes to the fore because we are taller than was generally the case when these desks were made in the 19th century. The majority of enquiries relating to this come from those who are 6 foot 5 inches tall and have had problems of this nature in the past. So those who are around 6 foot tall do not have to concern themselves unduly.
Antique William IV pedestal desk with a kneehole 24.5 inches high and 23 inches wide.
In most Antique desks from the 19th century the kneehole height is between 23" and 25" which fits most sizes since the general height of the seat of an antique desk chair of that period is 18 -19 inches. A kneehole height above 25.5” would be unusual in an antique pedestal or partners desk.
Antique William IV pedestal desk with a kneehole 24.5 inches high and 23 inches wide.In most Antique desks from the 19th century the kneehole height is between 23" and 25" which fits most sizes since the general height of the seat of an antique desk chair of that period is 18 -19 inches. A kneehole height above 25.5” would be unusual in an antique pedestal or partners desk.
Manufacturers at the time had worked out the balance between that desk and chair so that it was suitable for most sizes and that holds up for most of us today.
We do have a solution for raising the kneehole height by a further inch so long as the desk is of the type with plinth bases. The majority of antique desks of this type have hidden castors which allow the use of castor cups. These are hand turned on a lathe from oak or mahogany. When in use they are unobtrusive and offer that extra bit of height. We have tended to keep the uplift at one inch but I see no reason why we could not make them larger at 2 inches. However the lift bellow the plinth would be considerably more than normal.
Antique Large William IV Partners desk with a kneehole height of 24.5 inches and width of 33 inches.
One needs to be careful about raising the kneehole to high as it can make the proportions of an antique desk look odd as the balance of the design is altered. This one of the reasons we do not advocate making the plinths taller. Most of us who invest in an antique desk or antique library table are looking for originality in the piece as well as a useful item of furniture so major alterations of this type are a false economy.
We do have a solution for raising the kneehole height by a further inch so long as the desk is of the type with plinth bases. The majority of antique desks of this type have hidden castors which allow the use of castor cups. These are hand turned on a lathe from oak or mahogany. When in use they are unobtrusive and offer that extra bit of height. We have tended to keep the uplift at one inch but I see no reason why we could not make them larger at 2 inches. However the lift bellow the plinth would be considerably more than normal.
Antique Large William IV Partners desk with a kneehole height of 24.5 inches and width of 33 inches.One needs to be careful about raising the kneehole to high as it can make the proportions of an antique desk look odd as the balance of the design is altered. This one of the reasons we do not advocate making the plinths taller. Most of us who invest in an antique desk or antique library table are looking for originality in the piece as well as a useful item of furniture so major alterations of this type are a false economy.
Our Hand-turned Wooden Castor Cups
If you are tall a larger antique desk will feel less constrained because the kneehole width will be greater and allow more movement when sitting at the desk. It would be sensible to think in terms of an antique partners desk or antique partners library table even if you plan to have one side unused against a wall. The vast majority of library tables stand on brass castors and can be raised using the castor cups.
Something to beware of!
If you are tall a larger antique desk will feel less constrained because the kneehole width will be greater and allow more movement when sitting at the desk. It would be sensible to think in terms of an antique partners desk or antique partners library table even if you plan to have one side unused against a wall. The vast majority of library tables stand on brass castors and can be raised using the castor cups.
Something to beware of!
We generally find desks with a higher kneehole of 26 inches - 27 inches are conversions made from Victorian dressing tables and as such do not have the intrinsic value of a genuine rare desk.
Examples of Antique Desk Chairs 
Comments and any other solutions to this problem would be most welcome.
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